[Z06] CAI question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Bradford Mass
CAI question
I know there is obviously much debate over what is the better intake to have, I have been reading a ton of threads on the Honker, Stinger, and K&N systems. I think I am leaning towards the Halltech but I have a couple question: I want to use the Vararam velocity stack with the Halltech
1) Is it worth it/necessary for the velocity stack?
2) I am not intending on tuning the car yet (warranty just ended and don't know how far I am going to go with mods-heads, cam, etc staying N/A), I have heard alot about lean codes CEL being thrown with CAI setups, My Trailblazer SS will run horrible with just a CAI, it needs a tune to have a CAI (LS2), is it the same for the LS6??
ANY advice/help would be awesome! Thanks!
1) Is it worth it/necessary for the velocity stack?
2) I am not intending on tuning the car yet (warranty just ended and don't know how far I am going to go with mods-heads, cam, etc staying N/A), I have heard alot about lean codes CEL being thrown with CAI setups, My Trailblazer SS will run horrible with just a CAI, it needs a tune to have a CAI (LS2), is it the same for the LS6??
ANY advice/help would be awesome! Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I can't say anything regarding codes and the Halltech, but I have the Honker on my '03 Z and it did not cause any codes. It ran perfectly right off. I chose it because the quality is the closest to OEM of any intake I've seen and I have experience with a few of them. The velocity stack is a waste of money.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
I bought and installed a Vararam velocity stack and did some testing on the street. My butt-o-meter is pretty sensitive to acceleration subtleties from the accumulated passes I've made at the drag strip.
The velocity stack made my throttle less responsive to driver input not more, the opposite of the marketing claim. Took it off; reboxed and sold it.
I'm not sure if the velocity stack works on any intake, but it didn't deliver on my 2002Z with a Halltech CAI.
Regarding lean codes, most cold-air intakes will throw occasional codes, particularly during off throttle coasting, say coming down a grade, decelerating off-throttle toward a traffic light. Very occasional event and nothing to worry about. That lean code reflects a transitory event; alway "history" and never "current."
Ranger
Last edited by Ranger; Jun 5, 2007 at 07:06 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 19
From: Ontario, California
Regarding the Halltech Stinger, I installed one on my '02 Z a year ago. The only codes it threw initially were due to small air leaks because the clamps were not tight enough. Once the clamps were re-tightened, no more codes. The Halltech power duct sat too high above the radiator cover and caused the hood to bulge a little, and the hood insulation was damaged where it rubbed on top of the duct. The air cleaner that came with my unit was made by S&B and filtered no better than a K&N. While it did allow good air flow, you compromise on filtering quality with the high-performance 4-layer gauze filters.
I ended up going back to the stock power duct and a new stock replacement 8-layer gauze S&B filter and am using the zip-tie mod. I really can't tell much difference between the two, but I am closer to being smog legal in California now. Unfortunately, in the Golden State you are not permitted to modify the intake system on a '02-'04 Z06 in any way unless it is connected to a CARB-approved Supercharger or Turbo system. Go figure.
Rod
I ended up going back to the stock power duct and a new stock replacement 8-layer gauze S&B filter and am using the zip-tie mod. I really can't tell much difference between the two, but I am closer to being smog legal in California now. Unfortunately, in the Golden State you are not permitted to modify the intake system on a '02-'04 Z06 in any way unless it is connected to a CARB-approved Supercharger or Turbo system. Go figure.
Rod
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Bradford Mass
Thanks for the responses! I am a little more confused though lol... Glad to hear the velocity is semingly a waste- Ranger I trust what you say, you have some pretty damn impressive runs at the strip and quite a bit of knowledge on these cars! I really wanted to go with the Halltech solely because I do sometimes get caught in some rain storms and the callaway makes me a little nervous. I am going to research some more and when I make a decision I'll post results.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,108
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From: San Jose CA
I've got a Halltech Stinger on my 02 Z, one of the 1st mods I did. When I 1st put it on, I dealt with a lean code that kept coming up. It would go on and off for about a month. So I searched the forum, and saw a post about a Cold Air Mod. That basically you cut a hole under the filter in the radiator cover, for a more straight shot of air. I guess the less turbulant air didn't set off the lean code anymore. So I drove like that with no more codes for a month or so, until I went in for a dyno tune. When I got the car in for tuning, they found the filter wasn't snug enough on the MAF, so that what was causing the lean code most likely. They tightened it up, and with the tune no codes since. And it runs like a bat outta hell, and the intake has that nice whistly sound when you hit the gas. It was one of the more inexpensive intakes at the time. But due to the dust that blows through the hole I cut in the radiator cover, i'm planning on switching to a Hurricane Intake from WCC. Since the filter is sealed in a box with the same style of scoop underneath for the shot of outside air. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 1
From: Branford Connecticut
Thanks for the responses! I am a little more confused though lol... Glad to hear the velocity is semingly a waste- Ranger I trust what you say, you have some pretty damn impressive runs at the strip and quite a bit of knowledge on these cars! I really wanted to go with the Halltech solely because I do sometimes get caught in some rain storms and the callaway makes me a little nervous. I am going to research some more and when I make a decision I'll post results.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I haven't dyno'd my car but I can tell you this. After installing the Honker, on my next trip to the track, I had to back off at every shift because I kept breaking the tires loose, which hadn't happened before. Even with letting off the gas when shifting, I ran faster than before installing the Honker.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Regarding the Halltech Stinger, I installed one on my '02 Z a year ago. The only codes it threw initially were due to small air leaks because the clamps were not tight enough. Once the clamps were re-tightened, no more codes. The Halltech power duct sat too high above the radiator cover and caused the hood to bulge a little, and the hood insulation was damaged where it rubbed on top of the duct. The air cleaner that came with my unit was made by S&B and filtered no better than a K&N. While it did allow good air flow, you compromise on filtering quality with the high-performance 4-layer gauze filters.
I ended up going back to the stock power duct and a new stock replacement 8-layer gauze S&B filter and am using the zip-tie mod. I really can't tell much difference between the two, but I am closer to being smog legal in California now. Unfortunately, in the Golden State you are not permitted to modify the intake system on a '02-'04 Z06 in any way unless it is connected to a CARB-approved Supercharger or Turbo system. Go figure.
Rod
I ended up going back to the stock power duct and a new stock replacement 8-layer gauze S&B filter and am using the zip-tie mod. I really can't tell much difference between the two, but I am closer to being smog legal in California now. Unfortunately, in the Golden State you are not permitted to modify the intake system on a '02-'04 Z06 in any way unless it is connected to a CARB-approved Supercharger or Turbo system. Go figure.
Rod
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Bradford Mass
Thank you for the info, I have read a lot and it sounds like a great product. I am going to read up some more here and other places before I decide, I know its just an intake but I do not want to switch around units like I did with my exhaust...I have always been nervous about "bottom feeding" air intake systems, its a mental block with me, my buddy had a 2001 M5 with the Dinan intake arms and took in water and needed a new engine, I know compl. diff system/car however its always on my mind...